Proposed rules on motorized bikes, motorcycles headed to House Floor

What hit Janet Stotko? That’s been a controversy among law enforcement, insurance companies and advocacy organizations focused on bicycles and motorcycles.

What’s known is that Stotko was out for a walk in Hastings one evening last summer when she was struck from behind by a vehicle on the sidewalk going an estimated 25 mph. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and broken bones. The driver of the vehicle was 14 years old.

But what kind of vehicle was it? News stories called it an “e-bike,” but that turned out to be inaccurate. It was actually what those in the industry call an “e-moto,” too big to be considered a bicycle and not fitting into the current definition of a motorcycle. And there’s nothing in Minnesota statute regarding regulations on an “e-moto.”

Sponsored by Rep. Tom Dippel (R-Cottage Grove), HF3785 would categorize these vehicles as electric motorcycles and regulate them in much the same way as motorcycles with combustion engines.